Raising Farmer Welfare, Bank Mandiri Builds Integrated Rice Processing In Bali

Photo: Doc. Bank Mandiri

JAKARTA – PT Bank Mandiri Tbk conducted a groundbreaking for the construction of an Integrated Rice Processing System (SPBT) in Jembrana Regency, Bali.

Bank Mandiri SVP Government Project Hendrianto Setiawan said this step was a form of the company's active contribution in improving the welfare of local farmers.

"SPBT or also called the Integrated Rice Center is a stage in the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program to support farmers after the pre-planting and planting periods, namely, especially during the harvest and post-harvest periods," he said in a written statement, Wednesday, February 22.

According to Hendri, the SPBT that will be built has a rice production capacity of 3 tons per hour and is managed by an institution in the form of a limited liability company.

"Not only processing farmers' unhusked rice, this SPBT will also be able to absorb medium rice from local traditional rice processing businesses," he said.

Hendri explained that SPBT would be able to produce throughout the season and not shut down the local rice processing business.

It was stated that the construction of this SPBT would also be equipped with digital scales, storage warehouses, offices, and a place for training.

On the same occasion, VP CSR Center Department of Bank Mandiri Diwangkoro A. Ratam stated that this program is part of the company's commitment to carrying out Environmental Social Responsibility (TJSL) which contributes to the community's economy.

"Bank Mandiri has a focus on CSR programs that encourage the growth of people's economic welfare. This is what is called creating shared value, creating a CSR program that can provide value to all parties, not only to program recipients, but also to program owners," he said.

Diwangkoro added that the KWP program is expected to optimize the business of farmers, especially in Jembrana, Bali.

Later, farmers can directly sell their crops to SPBT, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2023.

"This program is not here to create competition in the rice processing industry, on the contrary, the spirit offered is synergy and collaboration with many parties. Even going forward, we will build cooperation with rice milling entrepreneurs in Jembrana and its surroundings to improve the quality of existing rice products," he explained.

Likewise, Jembrana Regent I Nengah Tamba said the construction of SBPT was very beneficial for farmers because it could help stabilize prices and increase quality and quantity.

"We are grateful to Bank Mandiri which is very concerned about the agricultural sector, especially in our area," said I Nengah Tamba.